Dandelion

(The mental numbers game)

Players: 2+

Time: minutes per round

Complexity: 6/10

Setup

• This game requires: 9 random numbered cubes from the bag and a pen and paper for each player.

  • • Draw 3 random cubes from the bag and place them green side up in a horizontal line in the middle of the table. These are the 'target cubes'.

    • Then draw 6 more random cubes from the bag and place them green side up in a horizontal line below the 3 cubes. These are the 'calculation cubes'.

    • If any wildcubes are dealt, replace them with a numbered cube.

• Give each player some paper and pen on which to write their workings.

Aim of the game

• The aim of the game is to get the highest score by reaching the 'target  numbers' (or as close to them as possible) using the 'calculation numbers' and 5 mathematical operations in the time available.

How to play

• The game is made up of six rounds, each utilising a different coloured side on the 9 cubes. The rounds follow the colour order on the CubeRoots logo:

  • • Round 1: Holly/Green

    • Round 2: Oak/Orange

    • Round 3: Lavender/Purple

    • Round 4: Maple/Red

    • Round 5: Elm/Yellow

    • Round 6: Spruce/Blue

• For the first round, each player writes down the three green numbers on the 'target cubes' and the 6 green numbers on the 'calculation cubes' on their piece of paper.

  • • The 3 numbers on the 'target cubes' will make up the 'target numbers' which the players are trying to calculate with the 'calculation cubes'.

      • • If these are 3 distinct numbers then there are 6 different 'target numbers'. For example, if the numbers are 1, 2 and 8, then the 6 target numbers are 128, 182, 218, 281, 812 and 821.

        • If exactly 2 of the numbers are the same then there are 3 different 'target numbers. For example, if the numbers are 0, 5 and 5, then the 3 target numbers are 055, 505 and 550.

        • If all 3 numbers are the same then there is only 1 target number. For example, if the numbers are 9, 9 and 9, then the only 1 target number is 999.

    • The 6 numbers on the 'calculation cubes' are the 'calculation numbers'. These are the numbers which each player uses to try and reach each of the 'target numbers', (or as close to them as possible). To do this they can use these numbers with the 5 following mathematical operations:

      • • Addition (+)

        • Subtraction (–)

        • Multiplication (×)

        • Division (÷)

        • Joining (&) - this means joining the numbers together to make a multiple digit number. For example, joining the calculation numbers 1 & 2 could make either 12 or 21. This can also be used to make 3 or 4 digit numbers. 

          • • Note: 5 and 6 digit numbers would never be helpful in this game!

    • Each operation can be used as many times as the players would like, but each calculation number may only be used once per target number.

    • Not all calculation numbers need to be used for each target number.

    • At least one mathematical operation needs to be used for each target number.

    • Brackets can be used anywhere in your calculations, meaning a player can use the mathematical operations in any order they wish.

      • • Except for joining - only the original 6 calculation numbers can be joined. Not the results of any calculations.

    • Each target number is scored as follows:

      • If a player reaches the target number exactly, they receive 15 points.

      • If a player is within 10 of the target number, they receive '10 minus the difference from the target number' points. For example, if the player is 3 away from the target number, they receive 10 - 3 = 7 points.

      • If a player is 10 or more away from the target number, they receive 0 points.

      • So if, in a round:

        • • there are 6 target numbers, a player can receive a maximum of 90 points for the round

          • there are 3 target numbers, a player can receive a maximum of 45 points for the round

          • there is 1 target number, a player can receive a maximum of 15 points for the round

  • For standard difficulty, each round lasts for 1 minute per target number. (i.e. 6 minutes for 6 target numbers, 3 minutes for 3 target numbers and 1 minute for 1 target number.

  • Once you have finished the first round with the green sides of the cubes, move all 9 cubes to the orange side to play round 2.

  • Then play all 6 rounds, the player with the highest score at the end is crowned the winner.

Possible alternative rules

• For an easier mode, reduce the number of target cubes to 2 and the calculation cubes to 4 or 5.

• For a harder mode, reduce the amount of time per target number to 45 seconds (difficult mode) or 30 seconds (expert mode).

• Finished one game? Let the winner make a new rule and play again!

• And, as always, add any other rules you like to have more fun!